The Derek McInnes era at Ibrox is rapidly taking shape ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, marked by two major moves on and off the pitch. Defender Olwethu Makhanya is on the verge of becoming the club’s eighth summer signing, while striker Lawrence Shankland has officially been handed the captain’s armband.
Rangers kick off their Scottish Premiership season against Dundee United on Friday night, and McInnes has been eager to bolster his squad before the action begins. Philadelphia Union’s 20-year-old defender Makhanya is expected to complete a £3 million move to Ibrox, capping off a busy summer rebuild for the Light Blues.
Shankland, who previously worked under McInnes at Tynecastle during Hearts’ over-achieving campaign last year, was the first arrival of the transfer window. Now reunited in Govan, the manager confirmed that the Scottish international will lead the team out as club captain.
Makhanya Targeted to Solve Defensive Shortage
With John Souttar departing and Clinton Nsiala out of the first-team picture, Rangers find themselves thin at the back, leaving Emmanuel Fernandez and Ben Godfrey as the only recognized fit center-backs.
Speaking ahead of the Dundee United match, McInnes confirmed negotiations are nearly complete for Makhanya and shared what fans can expect from the South African international:
”That is one that is close. He fits a similar profile to a lot of the business we have tried to do: good age, a lot of athleticism, and big potential. He is coming from MLS into a different country and style of football, but we believe he has the attributes to cope with that. Looking at us defensively, we are short in numbers, so it was important to act quickly to get one in. We probably still need another couple of defenders before the window closes, but getting this one resolved this week, hopefully with an announcement tonight or tomorrow, would be a big step and we would be delighted.”
Shankland Takes the Armband to Lead Group of Leaders
After coming within four minutes of a dramatic title win with Hearts last season, McInnes knew firsthand what Shankland brings to a dressing room. Although former Sunderland captain Dan Neil and ex-Partizan Belgrade leader Vanja Dragojevic were both under consideration, the manager opted to stick with the striker he trusts.
McInnes noted that while Shankland will carry the title, leadership must be a shared responsibility throughout the squad:
”The advantage Lawrence had is that I have already seen first-hand how well he runs a dressing room, with his experience captaining Hearts for a few years. We had a lot to consider, but plenty went in his favor: his experience, the fact we are still quite a young dressing room, and that he knows the club as a Glasgow boy who has supported Rangers and understands what is expected of him, of me, and of the team this season.
”I felt Lawrence took a lot on his shoulders at Hearts when things were not going so well. This time last year we were there and he was the existing captain, and after seeing how he was in and around the team, I saw no reason to change that. Here, the role is slightly different in that we need as many captains underneath him as possible. You have heard a lot of managers talk about that, sharing the burden. We need to share that load and that responsibility, both when things are going well and when they are not.”